Member Reviews
Lady Victoria Daring Was someone that was full of mystery and he was desperate to uncover her secrets. A lady never tells her plans and he will stop at nothing to find the truth. A wonderful historical romance that will keep you positively captivated.
DNF. I think this is just a case of wrong time for a mood reader. Historical romance hasn’t been working for me lately. I decided to give this a shot because the premise sounds great but it isn’t the right time and I decided to DNF. Thank you Entangled and Netgalley for the advance reading copy.
A difficult book for me to rate. On one hand it was very well written and on the other hand, I didn't believe a word of Victoria training as a spy for the crown in China -. (as had all her siblings as well, apparently) - then working as an active spy in London. This is the Regency and spying was not something the English really did, especially a well bred woman, according to the history of the period. So therefore, you have to take this story as intended, with a grain of salt - a pure work of fiction and entertainment. I'm also not a great lover of spy stories, unfortunately, historical or otherwise. Apart from that, I did feel as if I were in the Regency period re other historical details - dress, carriages, etc. Vic and her siblings were bubbly, fun, modern etc, a reflection of young women in today's world. There is lots of page time given over to family in this story.
The main plot begins in April 1817 London after the earl's family moves back from China in October 1816 - not sure how long the journey would have taken back then, especially in a northern winter, so the travel time line seems pretty dicey to me.
The book opens with a chapter filled with siblings and other characters that fairly make your head spin. I don't really like to be bombarded with so many characters at the beginning, so I assume this was done on purpose and all characters will have a book eventually. Vic/Victoria is posing as a maid at a ball to try and find out 'information'. - what sort we don't know. She breaks into the owners' study and is secretly followed by dashing and bored Lord Richard, who literally bumped into her earlier. He finds himself fascinated with her, even though she's a 'maid'. He is intrigued as to the reason she is in the study in the first place and starts wondering all kinds of things - he is bored, you know...
A few days later, he and his brother pass her family on the street. They are introduced, and as a result, Richard figures out who Victoria really is - even though she isn't wearing a red wig any more and her name is different. LOL. 👩🦰👩🦱 Meanwhile, she wonders how he knows it's her... 🙄 Their budding attraction towards each other is constantly referred to throughout the following chapters via internal monologue - especially Richards'.. To Victoria, he is that 'dratted' man. But she's intrigued, none the less.
Query - Richard is introduced as a Viscount in chapter three. His brother is a Duke... So, are they half siblings? Then he is referred to as Lord Richard, which is correct if he isn't a peer in his own right.
There are chapters thrown in using the POV of a criminal? drug addict? bad guy?
Overview.:- If you like lots of characters overtaking scenes, lots of action and intrigue, strong modern Regency kick ass heroines who are bold and know Chinese martial arts, then this book is for you. If you like traditional Regencies that reflect true life in which the period of the book is set, then maybe this one isn't for you. The writing is good and the book entertains for sure. My thanks go to NetGalley and the publisher for the gift of the e-arc in return for my honest opinion.
I received a free copy from netgalley in exchange for an honest review. For the most part I did like this book. Victoria and her siblings have lived in China their entire lives. Under their father, an ambassador, guidance they have trained in skills that could make them valuable to the Crown. Now that they have been called back to London, they are tasked with solving a mystery. While I am someone who is able to suspend her disbelief when reading or watching a movie, this book seemed ridiculous at several points. Most importantly the idea of a family trained from childhood to be spies and the skills they seem to posses. That issue aside the book was entertaining. After running into Victoria at a party where she is dressed as a maid, Richard is determined to discover the truth. I would be open to checking out the next book in the series. 3.5 stars.
Beginning of a new series with a very intriguing family spy concept. I liked Victoria and Richard but struggled a bit with the story. There were just some parts that did not make sense such as her inability to hide her facial expressions but she was a spy. I am optimistic that the next one will be more fully developed and looking forward to reading more of the Daring family.
I received this from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This is book one in the Women of Daring series. I have to say I throughly enjoyed this read. This is a story about a family that has been training to go into service to the king their entire lives. The eldest daughter Victoria is on her first mission when she bumps into trouble. Richard is a viscount that can’t get a girl out of his mind. These two have sparks and I enjoyed the read a great deal. I cannot wait for more from this author.
***Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review***
A fun read with a strong female lead!
This was such a fantastic read. I loved everything about it. It was fun, beautiful and even thrilling. We don't get to see females in historical romance like this much and it was a really nice change. I loved the interactions between Victoria and Richard - they have fantastic chemistry and had me rooting for them.
This is a great change to historical romance and I loved it,
I was hooked from the beginning with this romance/spy story. This was a different take on the historical romantic fiction genre that I am used to. The story was well done but I found the plot to be a little slow at times.
Thankyou to NetGalley, the publisher and author for this ARC.
Title: A Lady Never Tells
Series:Women Of Daring Series#1
Author: Lynn Winchester
Genre: Historical Romance
Publication Date: September 23, 2019
Entangled Publishing
eBook, 368 pages
Richard Downing may be a viscount of impeccable character, but he’s bored beyond belief of dancing at balls, faking smiles, and making dull conversation. So when he stumbles upon a house maid with defiance in her striking blue eyes and a dagger hidden in her skirts...well, color him intrigued.
Raised with a rather...peculiar upbringing, Lady Victoria Daring is full of secrets and surprises. As part of His Majesty’s personal homeland spy network and as a master of disguises, Vic is charged with infiltrating high society to uncover the enemies hiding in plain sight.
But Robert is the first man to see through her disguises––and infiltrate deep into her heart. Too bad his family is at the top of her list of suspects
My thoughts
Would I recommend it? yes
Will I would more of this series ? yes
Would I read more by this author? yes
Wow I just found a new historical romance series that is some what like a few others I love to read over and over , I loved the characters and how they inter acted with each other . And not once did I want to stop reading it , its up there with some of my favorite historical authors like Julie Garwood, and Johanna Lindsey to name a few . With that said I want to thank Entangled Publishing as well as Netgalley for letting me read and review it .
Wow I'm just stunned with how good this title was. I just had so much fun reading this title and getting to along for the ride with these amazing characters. I'm so excited to see what's next from this author.
This book was received as an ARC from the Author, in exchange for an honest review. Opinions and thoughts expressed in this review are completely my own Lynn Winchester new novel, A Lady Never Tells, is the first installment in a brand new Regency Series. Ms. Winchester has written an absolutely charming and enchanting novel. Victoria {Vic} Daring, is not your typical lady of the Regency period, and her family’s business is very unconventional to say the least. Trained in espionage and intrigue. All of Darings from father and her charming sisters Honoria and Verity, are part of a spy network trying to reveal the men or women hiding behind masks in the House of Cards Society. Their mission, spy on people responsible for smuggling and any crimes against the Crown of England. Victoria is a master in disguises for the Imperial Espionage Home Office. A Historical Romance set in 1817, from Zhejiang, China and quickly moves to London where she and her siblings have taken a position, as part of "Operation Imperial Twilight" During one of those missions, she is almost discovered by a dashing viscount named Richard Downing. Meeting Richard only complicates things. While trying to gather gather evidence, Richard is becoming an obstacle. More importantly his family is on list of people to be investigated. Victoria has made a definite impression. She is not an ordinary lady of high birth, she enjoys fencing and she is full of surprises. How will Richard react when if out about Victoria double life. Ms Winchester, delivers a fast-paced, amusing, and well-written read here that had the perfect mix of humour, romantic moments, and suspense. I thoroughly enjoyed watching the relationship between Victoria and Richard grow and thought that they the had great chemistry. The supporting cast was also great and complimented the dynamics of the storyline extremely well. The book is both Intriguing, and entertaining , a fabulous representation of a storyline. The author has set up the creative ending that is perfect for the next in the series. I adored this extremely engrossing, enjoyable & entertaining book right from the very start and had me engaged and at some parts laughing. Victoria is an unforgettable heroine and I excited to read the next in this captivating delightful series.
A Lady Never Tells by Lynn Winchester is Book 1 in a new series, "Women of Daring", and what a beginning.
I was intrigued and held spellbound from the first page. The Daring siblings are a group of agents in the service of the The Darings are in the service of the Prince Regent, to combat enemies of the crown. A Regency Historical Romance set in 1817, from Zhejiang, China to London, where they carry out matters of Imperial espionage.
Well written and well excuted. The characters are colorful, charming, and engaging. The storyline is unpredictable, intriguing, adventurous, captivating and original for sure. Ms. Winchester has once again keep this reader turning pages, although, I did find in spots where the story got a bit confusing, but for the most part this is a great beginning to a new series. However, Be aware that to me not all of my questions were answered, maybe, leaving for the next book.
Meet and Follow,
Victoria Daring and Richard Downing, Viscount Ganwyd on their journey to a HEA.
Victoria works for the Home Office, as part of "Operation Imperial Twilight", her mission, is to search the home of Malcolm Egerdon, the Earl of Banebridge, but she's interrupted by Richard.
This story has plenty of spies, secrets, secret identities, danger, intrigue, mystery, suspense, sensual tension and romance to keep readers reading, with a HEA.
I found A LADY NEVER TELLS to be an enjoyable, entertaining and satisfying read. Strongly recommended for fans of Regency, spies, mystery, intrigue, historical romance and much more. A delightful read.
#NetGalley, #ALadyNeverTells
Rating: 4.5
Heat rating: Mild
Reviewer: AprilR
'Daring' Do and Intelligence gathering in Regency times, with a difference!
_______ 3.5 stars
Oh my! Just into the first few pages and I was already heavily engaged. I'd spotted a whole family of interesting siblings who must have their own story coming. The Daring siblings! From an early age they have been steeped in various Chinese martial arts styles, amongst other skills, that could only be found in the Far East. Together their list of abilities are formidable.
Their father, Devon Daring, the Earl of Gadstoke, has been the ambassador to the Orient for twenty-five years. The Darings are part of a secret organization of the Prince Regent's to combat would be enemies of the crown. Now it's 1817 and they have returned from Zhejiang, China to London and are tasked to carry out matters of Imperial espionage.
Victoria Daring's mission for the Home Office, as part of Operation Imperial Twilight, is to search the home of Malcolm Egerdon, the Earl of Banebridge. That's when she's interrupted by Richard Downing, Viscount Ganwyd. The viscount is bored and when he stumbled upon an out-of-place maid at Banbridge's Spring Ball he's intrigued. The spark of attraction between these two will propel them together into interesting times.
I was excited by the premise of this new series. There were some highly thrilling moments but the story ended with way too many questions, including my uneasy feelings and dislike of Miles Leigh, Earl of Leavenson, the Daring family’s only direct connection through the Home Office intelligence network and the Prince.
Apart from that there were moments when the writing dipped, and didn't stay on par.
I wonder if having to use Victoria's exploits to set the scene for future events, meant her story lost some of its initial oomph. Somewhere some of the energy of the opening scenes that so captured me dissipated.
Still I'm hooked on the series and what the future holds for the Daring menagerie.
An Entangled Pub. ARC via NetGalley
(I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.)
Victoria is undercover for the crown when she mets Richard. She makes sure that he doesn't think she is anything more that just a maid. Unfortunately, she doesn't count on his keen skills of observation and when they meet again as her true self, he lets her know that he knows it was her as the maid the previous evening. Now she has to decide what to do about it...
Richard is intrigued upon meeting Victoria and after learning that during their first meeting, she was under a disguise, even more so. He knows she is up to something, but doesn't know what it is. Could she be working against the government?
This was my first book by Winchester and I am so glad I picked it up. She had me engrossed in the story from the very beginning. I loved the way that Rickard and Victoria bantered with each other and how in the end, they cam to be working together. This was a great start to a series and I'm excited to read more about the Daring sisters!!
I enjoyed this enchanting story of spies, secrets, and secret identities. The story is quite thrilling and it kept me entertained from the very beginning until the end. I loved all the characters and enjoyed interactions between Daring siblings. That, I think is the best part of this novel. There are so few books that explore siblings relationship, especially in the romance genre that I always find it refreshing when I do find one such book. As far as historical fictions go this book is a really well-written piece and I thoroughly enjoyed reading it. I'd definitely recommend it to my fellow readers. Especially, if you enjoy a little mystery mixed with mischief.
Lady Victoria Daring was raised in China and was trained to be a spy. She is good at what she does. This is her first solo mission and she must succeed to prove her worth. She also feels that as the eldest child she has a responsibility to prove herself to her father. However, thanks to one annoying Lord Richard, her identity might get revealed before her mission is done. The only good thing is that Richard Downing seems more interested in her than her actions. Maybe she will be able to play it to her advantage and complete her mission without any other problem.
Things get more interesting as the story progresses. Soon Victoria and Richard find themselves getting more and more involved with each other. Will the secrets survive this new development or will they end up ruining their own future? Read away to find out.
I find this book an interesting and enjoyable read. The story has enough intrigue, twists and turns to keep the readers entertained. I also enjoyed the romance side of the story. The chemistry between main leads is great and they both seem to be perfect for each other.
Richard Downing may be a viscount of impeccable character, but he's bored beyond belief of dancing at balls, faking smiles, and making dull conversation. So when he stumbles upon a house maid with defiance in her striking blue eyes and a dagger hidden in her skirts...well, he’s intrigued.
Raised with a rather peculiar upbringing, Lady Victoria Daring is full of secrets and surprises. As part of His Majesty's personal homeland spy network and as a master of disguises, Vic is charged with infiltrating high society to uncover the enemies hiding in plain sight.
The first in a new series & a refreshing read, the heroine Vic is a delight & somewhat different to the run of the mill Regency belle, I hope the other Daring siblings have their stories. It was a breathe of fresh air & I thoroughly enjoyed my first book by the author – it certainly won’t be my last. Intriguing characters & a story that drew me in from the beginning & held me captivated until the last page
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read
Raised with a rather...peculiar upbringing, Lady Victoria Daring is full of secrets and surprises. As part of His Majesty’s personal homeland spy organization and as a master of disguises, Vic is charged with infiltrating high society to uncover the enemies hiding in plain sight.
Richard Downing may be a viscount of impeccable character, but he’s bored beyond belief of dancing at balls, faking smiles, and making dull conversation. So when he stumbles upon a housemaid with defiance in her striking blue eyes and a dagger hidden in her skirts...well, color him intrigued.
But Richard is the first man to see through her disguises––and infiltrate deep into her heart. Too bad his family is at the top of her list of suspects...
The daring family father, Devon Daring, the Earl of Gadstoke, has been the ambassador to the Orient for twenty-five years. The Darings are part of a secret organization of the Prince Regent's to combat would be enemies of the crown. Now it's 1817 and they have returned from Zhejiang, China to London and are tasked to carry out matters of espionage.
This is the first book in this new series, Women of Daring. This was my first time reading this author's work and I'm sorry to say I wasn't impressed. The story started out slow and didn't pick up until almost half way through. It does begin to be an interesting story along the way but I wouldn't say it was my cup of tea.
I gave this book 3.75 of 5.0 stars for story line and characterization.
Maybe the next book in the series will be better.
I received a complimentary ARC of this book to read.
This in no way affected my opinion of this book which I read and reviewed voluntarily.
From the very beginning, it was obvious that this would be a story with a different twist. Victoria Daring and all her siblings have been encouraged in areas of subterfuge. Her father, has put together his own network of spies, and Victoria is able to disguise herself and uncover people’s secrets. Her first venture on returning from China is to revel the people behind the House of Cards Society, involving drugs and money smuggling. It is in the house of a peer, that she finds herself caught by Richard Downing, brother to a duke. Richard is immediately captivated by Victoria, and only further intrigued to find that she is not the maid, with amazing knife skills but the daughter of an earl.
I loved the vibrancy of this family and their ability to not only spar physically but to do so verbally. There was never a dull moment in this household and it almost made me wish to be a part of it. Richard is also a great character, never finding flaw with Victoria’s differences from the typical society woman of the times.
This story will have you captivated and looking forward to the next in the series, as each sibling appears to be as entertaining as Victoria.
I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
Wowza! To say this was an entertaining story is putting it mildly! Lynn Winchester has pulled out all the stops to start a new series with the Daring family that will keep us anxiously awaiting for the next story in the series!
An unconventional heroine, Lady Victoria Daring (an apt name must I say!) had grown up in China where her father was a diplomat. He had wanted all of his six children to learn something "useful." So when each was old enough he employed masters in various specialities to instruct them in everything from languages to kung fu, throwing daggers and acting. What an upbringing!
Their mother was anxious for Vic to get to England and have her debut, to find a husband. Vic herself felt a longing to experience more...
When their father recieved the missive from the Prince Regent that he needed their "skills" for Crown business, the adventure begins for the Daring's and this one is for Vic!
On her first mission she is posing as a maid at a party to find out information needed by her superiors. Anxious not to mess up, of course she runs into a very handsome gentleman, Richard, Viscount Ganwy. Well he is intrigued right away in looking at the maid, who seemed a bit out of place and had the most amazing eyes!
Needless to say he sees through her disguise and the adventure begins!! I truly loved this story and cannot wait for more!! Thanks for NetGallery and the fabulous Entangled Publishing!